1Diii, Sigma 150-500 and Kenko 1.4X.

I just got a (new to me) Canon 1Diii and thought i would give it a test with my Sigma 150-500 with Kenko 1.4X converter attached. Now i am not saying they are great photos but it was a quick test and i have to say the results (to me) are not to bad all things considered.

For less than $2000 i have an auto focus 700mm outfit

I am thinking, looking through the shots i might have to MA a little.

I will be doing further testing and if all goes well i will post some better shots in time.

Wow!! Me too rawshorty .. I would be extremely happy with any of these lovely shots. I have that lens and a Kenko 2X but I dont think I could get anywhere near these! Do you use the IS at all? Can I ask what if any PP you have used? They are crackers !

Great results mate. Looks like you're using the aperture wide open right? If I am correct your zoom is f/6.3 at the long end? No wonder your AF is slow. My AF at f/8 is painful (500/4+2x) and even worse when I stack two converters together.

Generally speaking, I am not sure stacking a TC on any zoom lens like that (even Canon's 100-400) is a good idea, but your results are still pretty darn impressive.

I would never go back to any other body since I have started using 1D bodies years ago. No lower model compares. Though I try not to use above ISO1600 on my 1D3 as I find the higher ISOs not that great.

Adrienne, please sell the 2x and get a 1.4x. You will struggle to make good images with that combo. :(

The 2X was a gift and that is the only reason I am lucky enough to have it . I have used it with great results on the 100 macro ... just for general shooting not macro work. Works for birds that are close up . I have never even attempted to use it with the Sigma ..... I can hardly hold that steady enough most times as it is!!!

Were you aware that the 1D3 had a history of sub-mirror problems affecting the AF system? Lots of folks complained about the camera when it was first released. After a certain serial number the problem was resolved ex-factory (which is what I looked for buying second hand), but there is a range, or ranges, that were previously affected and one would hope that all were fixed by Canon and certified. I think they're the blue dot bodies, or was it yellow?

Were you aware that the 1D3 had a history of sub-mirror problems affecting the AF system? Lots of folks complained about the camera when it was first released. After a certain serial number the problem was resolved ex-factory (which is what I looked for buying second hand), but there is a range, or ranges, that were previously affected and one would hope that all were fixed by Canon and certified. I think they're the blue dot bodies, or was it yellow?

Yep i was aware, i made sure the camera was outside the affected serial no's.

Most of the bad press about Sigma is put out by the big boys and reviewers affiliated with them,they plant the seed and others run with it the only reason the 150-500mm I used was soft was my idiot mate put a $5 UV fillter on it ,the guy at teds said it was to protect his investment what a load of ------- !

Canon and Nikon are getting left behind when it comes to lenses, most of the new developments are coming from Sigma Tamron and Tokina, I can only really speak on Nikon theres nothing new there just revamping their old lenses adding VR and doubling the price .

until a few weeks ago when I sorted out the bigma my favorite bird lens was a Sigma 300f4 +1.4 tc I have 2 others 70-300mm apo and a 50mm 1.4 both are as sharp and fast in AF as anything from Nikon mayby faster and half the price

Sparrow I have the Sigma 150-500 ... but I am still sure the L lenses in the longer zoom and more particularly the prime ranges are far sharper , from what I have seen anyway. I haven't personally used them except for the 100 -300L. I do find the OS causes a softening that I am not keen on in some situations

A pro that covers the horse raceing up here just got the new model of the sigma 50 f1.4 a bit more expensive but said to be even sharper again I didn't think it posable ,the reveiw on dreveiw says it sets a new standard in 50mm lenses .

50mm has always been the bench mark to which other lenses are compaired ,the fact that sigma seems to be winning that race must be making the big two a tad nervous

When they arrive at Camera House I'm going to take my camera and TC in and fire a few shots with one and have a look at them on the lap top if its as good as they say I'll get one ,if I can't see any improvment I'll stick with the Sigma.

And keep saving for the lens I really want a Nikon 500f4, my wife said if I sold off all my other camera s----- I could come close to being able to get one ,she doesn't get that I want the Nikon and all the other camera s------ as well.

Bit the bullet and purchased a 150-500 online,arrived today four days after ordering,$850.00

All of my shots for about the last twelve months have been using nikon 300/f4 with and without 1.4 tc so will be interesting to compare with the sigma opened out to 500mm.

First impressions are of a very well made lens not cheap looking or feeling at all.

This is my first third party lens as bad reviews in the past have put me off, but for the price I thought is was worth a look as I wasn't completely happy with the 300mm lens out to 420 with the tc, much happier with the quality without the tc.

Just need some time now to put it through it's paces

P.S. Also purchased a bk-45 gimbal head which is a chinese knock off of a Wimberley.

Again was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the build and finish.

I have the same gimbal head and I have used some big kits on it no problem ,I have a sigma 300f4 and use it with a a TC no real change in IQ put the same TC on the nikon 300f4 and the IQ is really bad and its hard to get AF to lock on I guess they just don't like the TCs